Copra meal – A sustainable protein source for animal feed manufacturers

The by-product of coconut oil extraction called copra meal is an important source of protein that is used by animal feed manufacturers globally. Copra meal is a low-cost and high-nutrition feed option, which is environmentally friendly in comparison to conventional feedstuffs such as soybean meal or fish meal.

With the popularity of sustainability and circular economy principles in the worldwide manufacturing of feed, a substantial number of manufacturers are becoming interested in the use of copra meal as a source of a steady supply of quality, availability, and low cost. Vietfeeds is a reliable supplier in Vietnam Vietfeeds has been a reliable supplier of premium grade copra meal directly sourced in the coconut growing areas in Vietnam to provide its partners in the Asian region, as well as Africa and other parts of the world, with consistent supply and good quality.

What is copra meal and how is it produced?

The remaining solid content after extraction of oil out of dried coconut meat is called copra meal. The process of production starts by picking mature coconuts, splitting, drying and mechanically pressing or drying using solvents to get the oil content. The resulting cake is dried and made into a coarse meal to be used as feed.

There are two primary kinds of copra meal that are in the market:

• Expeller-pressed copra meal – product that is made through mechanical pressing; it still contains a little more oil and energy.
• Solvent-extracted copra meal – extracts done with solvents to extract more oil, then makes it lower fat and higher protein content.

The quality of the copra meal is determined by a number of factors and these factors include the method of drying, extraction process and freshness of the raw copra. Well refined copra meal is light brown in color, of pleasant smell and has little remnant oil content- it is better digested and well preserved on shelves under animal feeding.

Nutritional value and benefits for animal feed

The copra meal has been appreciated due to its balanced nutrient content and thus can be used as an outstanding additive in the diet of different livestock and aquaculture feeds. It has moderate protein content relative to soybean or fish meal but this is offset by its rich energy, digestiveness, and fiber content which makes it very useful especially among ruminants and monogastric animals when fed at the right proportions.

• Rich energy source: Copra meal has a good portion of residual oil which is a good source of metabolizable energy and it can be utilized as a supplement in energy-deficient feed rations.
• Moderate growth and maintenance protein: Copra meal containing up to 25 percent crude protein promotes growth in body weight, muscle growth, and milk production in livestock.
• High Fiber to Improve Digestive Health: The fiber fraction increases the gut motility and digestion, particularly in cattle, goats and sheep.
• Palatability and feed consistency: The aroma of it is a bit sweet, which contributes to its palatability in feed, stimulating a steady intake of the feed among animals.
• Mineral content: Copra meal has high content of phosphorus, potassium and trace elements that help in the overall health of the animal.

Applications in feed formulation

Copra meal is a highly marketed sustainable livestock, poultry, and aquaculture feed ingredient. It is a moderately protein, balanced-energy, and high-fiber food, which is a useful constituent when in the right combination with other protein-rich food components, such as fish meal, soybean meal, or rice bran.

Due to its amino acid content and digestibility, copra meal is most effectively used as a partial, but never complete, replacement of more protein-rich products. It is commonly added by the formulators of feed in differing proportions based on the type of animal, its age and nutritional needs.

Poultry feed formulation

Copra meal can be used as a substitute of 5-10 percent of total sources of protein in poultry diets. It provides a good growth and feed conversion ratios (FCR) when combined with lysine and methionine and decreases the total costs of production.

Example formula:

• 60% maize or wheat
• 20% soybean meal
• 8% copra meal
• 10% rice bran
• 2% vitamin and mineral premix

Cattle and dairy feed

The fiber and the remaining oil in copra meal are very beneficial to the ruminants. It may constitute 15-25 per cent of total feed rations, enhancing the work of the rumen, milk production, and the state of coats. It is high in palatable qualities which helps to promote constant consumption even during the tropical climates.

Swine feed

Copra meal is an inexpensive source of energy and protein in pigs in 5 to 10 percent quantities. It promotes the health of the gut, with its fiber content, and promotes lean growth in combination with amino acid supplements.

Aquafeed

Copra meal is also becoming an accepted source of sustainable protein in aquaculture. At levels of 8-12 per cent in shrimp or fish feed, it helps maintain a balanced diet and lessen fish meal dependence – benefiting the bottom line and environmental objectives.

Why choose copra meal from Vietfeeds?

Vietfeeds is a reliable source of feed ingredient in Vietnam and has established long-term relationships with animal feed producers, aquafeed producers, and distributors across the world. We have an advantage because we take raw copra straight out of the main coponut producing areas in Vietnam, which process raw copra on a stringent quality requirement to maintain consistency and safety.

• Coconut sourcing: Vietfeeds has a direct source relationship with local processors in the Mekong Delta and Central Vietnam – areas where coconuts are known to be very productive. This closeness enables us to ensure uninterrupted availability and traceable source of all the shipments of copra meal.
• Uninterrupted quality and complete COA: Every batch of Vietfeeds copra meal undergoes a thorough inspection and comes with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) which guarantees adherence to the standards of quality of international feed. Parameters like moisture, protein, fiber and aflatoxin are tested prior to export.
• Direct procurement: Vietfeeds offers competitive prices by eliminating intermediaries, which means that the prices do not suffer at the expense of the quality, which is one of the main benefits of direct procurement offered by the feed manufacturers when dealing with large-volume orders.
• Flexible packaging and export logistics: Vietfeeds offers a variety of packages (25kg and 50kg PP bags, jumbo bulk bags, etc) depending on the specific needs of a customer. We have a full-fledged logistics organization that undertakes to make our exports to Asian, African, and Middle Eastern ports fast and dependable.
• Sustainable and responsible sourcing: Vietfeeds is committed to sustainable and responsible sourcing in line with global sustainability objectives of combating the domestic waste by using agricultural by-products like copra meal. The decision to use Vietfeeds implies the idea of responsible sourcing and circular agriculture.

Conclusion

Copra meal has become a highly flexible and useful product to animal feed producers as the global feed industry looks to achieve cost-efficiency and sustainability in the future. It is a perfect nutritional supplement in cattle, poultry, swine, and aquafeed diets due to its balanced nutritional profile, digestibility and availability.

Vietfeeds has direct access to the sources of coconuts in Vietnam, which means that every batch of copra meal is of international quality, safety and consistency. With a solid supply chain, competitive pricing, and professional export service, we enable us to support feed producers all around the world to meet the performance and sustainability objectives.

In need of a reliable copra meal provider in Vietnam? Partner with Vietfeeds today – your stable supplier of high quality feedstuff, consistent supply and open service in international market.